Working Together to Address Michigan’s Early Learning and Care Crisis
This August, Gretchen House Foundation attended “Working Together to Address Michigan’s Early Learning and Care Crisis: A Meeting of Michigan Foundations” hosted by the The Policy Equity Group on August 5, 2024, to come together with leaders in early childhood care philanthropy to explore opportunities for alignment, collaboration, and engagement.
The conference brought together Michigan foundations, organizations, and stakeholders to discuss solutions for the shortage and accessibility of quality early childhood education and care. Our goal is to collaborate on policy changes, funding initiatives, and community efforts to improve access to childcare for families.
Michigan faces challenges such as a lack of childcare spaces, affordability issues, and a shortage of qualified workers.
The Policy Equity Group is a nonprofit that is moving the field of early childhood forward by supporting innovation and implementation in practice, policy, and research. Their work focuses on building the capacity of socially conscious organizations that are dedicated to improving the lives of young children and their families.
During this conference we had the pleasure to hear from Yazeed A. Moore, of W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Karen Aldridge-Eason of Council of Michigan Foundations, Jeffrey Capizzano, Policy Equity Group, Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, MiLEAP, Senator McDonald Rivet, Michigan Senate District 35. We also heard the important perspectives of Michigan’s ECE system providers leaders: Children of the Rising Sun Child Care, Huntey’s Clubhouse, and Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS).
Gretchen House Foundation’s Board President, Gretchen Preston, spoke on the work of the Foundation and how we hope our mission can address challenges facing the early-childhood development community.
Early childhood development in Michigan and across the United States faces several significant and concerning challenges that directly impact the overall well-being of children, families, and educators alike. One of the foremost issues contributing to these challenges is the inadequate and often inconsistent funding for early childhood education programs. Public investment in early education has unfortunately not kept pace with the growing needs and demands of families and communities, resulting in limitations on the quality and availability of essential early learning opportunities.
Working together we can solve the crisis facing early childhood care. Coming together with these partners, we can leverage our collective strengths to address the urgent needs of teachers, families, and children. By uniting our resources, expertise, and passion, we aim to create a sustainable network that improves access to high-quality early childhood education.
Participants gained a clear understanding of early learning and care in Michigan, including information on access, quality, and gaps. We contributed to creating an action plan. Collaborative groups have begun to create specific strategies and steps to tackle the challenges identified. The conference is a platform to push for policy changes and funding priorities to enhance access to early childhood education.
Collaboration is key in navigating the complex challenges that exist within early childhood development. Each partner brings unique insights and capabilities to the table, from early childhood educators to community organizations and policymakers. Together, we can advocate for better funding, training, and support systems that empower educators and enrich the learning experiences of our youngest learners.
As we forge these partnerships, we remain committed to a shared vision: ensuring that every child has access to nurturing and developmentally appropriate early learning environments. The time for bold action is now, and with concerted efforts, we can turn the tide on the crisis in early childhood care for the benefit of the next generation. This is exactly what Gretchen’s House Foundation is going to do!
In the words of Senator McDonald Rivet:
